Chapters 11 & 12 Terms and Concepts

Flashcards for reviewing key terms and concepts from Chapters 11 & 12.

Criteria of Adequacy

The standards used to evaluate a theory, including testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism.

Testability

The ability of a theory to be tested through observation or experiment to determine if it's true.

Fruitfulness

The number of novel predictions a theory makes and how many new insights it provides.

Scope

The extent of phenomena a theory can explain. A broad scope is often desirable because it covers more cases.

Simplicity

The number of assumptions a theory makes. A simpler theory is often preferred as long as it adequately explains the phenomena.

Conservatism

How well a theory fits with existing knowledge. A theory that is conservative tends to align well with established facts and previous theories.

Internal Consistency

Whether the different parts of a theory or argument fit together without contradiction.

External Consistency

Whether a theory is consistent with established knowledge from other domains or areas.

Theoretical Explanation

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon based on a theory, often involving general principles that predict certain outcomes.

Inference to the Best Explanation

A method of reasoning where one infers the best possible explanation based on available evidence. It's about choosing the most plausible theory that explains the facts.

Scientific Method

The systematic approach to acquiring knowledge, which involves identifying a problem, devising a hypothesis, deriving a test implication, performing the test, and accepting or rejecting the hypothesis.

Weird Theories

Theories related to extraordinary or supernatural claims, such as UFOs, ESP, ghosts, or psychic phenomena, often requiring special scrutiny due to their unconventional nature.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables, typically formed before conducting research or experiments.

Premise

A statement or proposition from which a conclusion is drawn in an argument.

Conclusion

The statement that follows logically from the premises in an argument.

Argument

A set of premises and a conclusion, where the premises provide support for the conclusion.

Pseudoscience

Claims presented as scientific but fail to meet the criteria of adequacy or scientific standards.

Inductive Reasoning

A form of reasoning that makes broad generalizations from specific observations.